Conservative Icon Richard Viguerie: GOP Leaders Lost Control of Party

MANASSAS, VA -- The following is a statement by Richard A. Viguerie, Chairman of ConservativeHQ.com, on the impact of the Republican primaries:

"GOP leaders -- Mitch McConnell, John Cornyn, John Boehner, Karl Rove and others -- as well as establishment Republicans have no idea how livid Americans are with them.

"Republican leaders are in a panic because they have lost control of the Republican Party.

"Grassroots constitutional conservatives are inside the Citadel, and are poised to take over.

"All across the country -- in the Northeast, the South, the West -- Americans feel betrayed by Republican politicians. Last night's election results show that the grassroots anger is directed at more than just the Obama-Reid-Pelosi Democrats.

"Christine O'Donnell's inspiring upset in Delaware, Ovide Lamontagne's populist and improbable surge in New Hampshire, Carl Paladino's trouncing of Rick Lazio in New York -- and previous primary wins by Sharron Angle, Ken Buck, Joe Miller, etc. -- all have been the result of the grassroots uprising against big government and the 'ruling class,' and in spite of the GOP establishment.

"Never before in American history has a movement made such momentous change in such a short period of time.

"As Reagan said in 1976, Americans want new leaders unfettered by old ties and old relationships.

"The symbolically stupid decision last night by the National Republican Senatorial Committee not to fund Christine O'Donnell's general election campaign, which it reversed this morning only after a massive grassroots uproar, and Karl Rove's meltdown on Fox's Hannity show will only fuel further primary challenges to GOP political leaders.

"Current GOP leaders not 'retired' in 2010, will be in 2012 and 2014, and can join their former colleagues, such as Trent Lott, on the K Street lobbying circuit. And, they should get used to saying, 'Majority Leader DeMint.'"

Richard A. Viguerie pioneered political direct mail and has been called "one of the creators of the modern conservative movement" (The Nation magazine) and one of the "conservatives of the century" (The Washington Times). He is the author of Conservatives Betrayed: How George W. Bush and Other Big Government Republicans Hijacked the Conservative Cause.